Frank Williams presented his 1998 challenger, the FW20, today. The drivers of the Williams-Mecachrome will be, like last year, Villeneuve and Frentzen.

Williams stated: "I am always careful not to be too optimistic at this time of the year. But we do have a sense of new purpose with all the events of 1997, including the Imola trial, behind us. We have retained the same two drivers and we have continuity in many areas despite building a new car and preparing for a completely new set of rules and regulations. I am looking forward to the racing very much -- as ever. There is a sense of a new era for us all."

Patrick Head stated that Jacques Villeneuve, the current World Champion, is out to prove that he is the better driver over Michael Schumacher. Schumacher is still seen as the best driver out there. Head said: "I think that Jacques wants to prove that that idea is wrong. I expect him to tackle the task this year in a calm and determined way."

Villeneuve sees his team-mate Frentzen as his biggest threat this season: "Your biggest threat is always your team-mate because you are working with the same car and the same people. I expect McLaren, Ferrari and Michael Schumacher to be competitive but there could be a lot of other teams."

Villeneuve drove 16 laps on the Silverstone circuit mainly to show the new car. He clocked a best time of 1m 31.15s. They will start testing at Barcelona (Spain) on February 2. Villeneuve said after this first 'test': "The car feels strong and good. We had no problems."

The outfit will use two test drivers next season: Juan Pablo Montoya and Max Wilson, and a new fuel supplier, the Brazilian company Petrobas. There will be no mention of the company on the cars or driver suits except the one Brazilian Wilson is wearing.

Picture update will follow